Walla Walla Public Schools

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Walla Walla Public Schools Official site of WWPS. Developing Washington’s Most Sought After Graduates. We welcome your comments and look forward to what you have to say.

Walla Walla Public Schools At A Glance
Students
Walla Walla Public Schools educates a diverse population nearly 5,600 students. The district is comprised of two high schools, two middle schools, five elementary schools, the Walla Walla Center for Children and Families (Birth-to-Five services), SEATech Skills Center, Walla Walla Online, Opportunity Program and Homelink. Programs
A broad range of course offerings and programs that are aligned with the Washington State Learning Goals are offered to students at all grade levels. Staffing
Our district employs over 800 staff members - excluding substitutes and part-time coaches. Approximately 398 certificated staff are employed -- 73 percent of whom hold master’s degrees. Each year more than 1,000 volunteers team to provide learning opportunities for students. Local Levy Support
In 2020, Walla Walla Public Schools received a 72 percent YES vote on its replacement levy. Not only was the levy approval rating the highest in Walla Walla in 26 years, it was also the strongest approval rating statewide for All DISTRICTS of similar size and larger, setting the highest of bar for some 145 enrichment levy votes that were on the ballot statewide. Levy approval secures local funding for essential district programs and staff. WWPS FACEBOOK PAGE GUIDELINES
The Walla Walla School District page is provided to share information about the achievements of our employees, students, and school community, as well as to broadcast relevant and timely information. The following guidelines are intended to help us all engage in an open and respectful dialogue. The guidelines will be applied in an even and fair manner, and comments that violate these guidelines (even in part) will be removed in their entirety, regardless of the viewpoint expressed in the comment. Comments posted by third parties are not the views of the School District and should not be construed as such. However, we will remove postings that:
• Are not directly related to the District post being commented upon;
• Promote or advertise commercial services, entities, or products except as authorized by the district;
• Contain political statements assisting a campaign for the election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition;
• Promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination based on protected status, including age, gender, marital status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status;
• Include vulgar, offensive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing language;
• Are obscene or contain sexual content or links to obscene or sexual content;
• Include illegal activity or encouragement of illegal activity;
• Compromises the safety or security of the public or public systems;
• Are from children under 13 (in order to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). By posting on the School District’s social media site, users acknowledge that they are at least 13 years old. The School District reserves the right to remove posted content that does not comply with these guidelines and limit access from users who repeatedly violate these guidelines. All posts and comments uploaded to School District’s Social Media sites that allow posts will be periodically reviewed. Communications made through this site in no way constitutes a legal or official notice, request, public records request pursuant to RCW 42.56, formal complaint, or comment to the School District. To comment about a specific school district project or program, please contact the appropriate department. Page administrators reserve the right to ban users from posting comments on this site for repeated violations of the above-stated guidelines. If you would like to report an inappropriate comment for review, contact [email protected].

11/05/2026

A Football Playoff, a Friendly Wager and a Winning Read for Students!

Saturday’s playoff football matchup between Walla Walla and Stanwood has a little extra riding on it, and this friendly competition comes with a literary twist!

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan and Stanwood-Camano School District Superintendent Dr. Ryan Ovenell have agreed to a friendly wager ahead of Saturday afternoon’s football playoff game between the Walla Walla High School Blue Devils and Stanwood High School Spartans.

Here’s the deal: The losing superintendent will donate copies of The Football Fiasco by Mike Lupica to the winning district’s elementary school libraries, complete with a friendly inscription acknowledging the outcome.

As luck would have it, both districts have five elementary schools, making this a five-school reading victory for whichever team comes out on top!

The matchup also has a special connection. Before becoming Walla Walla Public Schools’ 17th superintendent in July 2025, Dr. Gauyan spent several years leading Stanwood-Camano’s Teaching and Learning Department. He continues to maintain strong friendships and professional connections in the Stanwood community.

And leave it to two school superintendents to turn a football wager into an opportunity to promote reading! The Football Fiasco is a football-themed mystery featuring lessons about friendship, inclusion and kindness. This is a great way to extend the excitement of playoff Saturday into the classroom.

Game Day Details:
• Matchup: Walla Walla High School Blue Devils vs. Stanwood High School Spartans
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
• Kickoff: 2 p.m.
• Location: Stanwood High School
• Radio Broadcast: Blue Devils Radio KGDC — KGDC 1320 AM / 92.9 FM
• Live Stream: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Go Blue Devils!

11/05/2026

A Football Playoff, a Friendly Wager and a Winning Read for Students!

Saturday’s playoff football matchup between Walla Walla and Stanwood has a little extra riding on it, and this friendly competition comes with a literary twist!

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan and Stanwood-Camano School District Superintendent Dr. Ryan Ovenell have agreed to a friendly wager ahead of Saturday afternoon’s football playoff game between the Walla Walla High School Blue Devils and Stanwood High School Spartans.

Here’s the deal: The losing superintendent will donate copies of The Football Fiasco by Mike Lupica to the winning district’s elementary school libraries, complete with a friendly inscription acknowledging the outcome.

As luck would have it, both districts have five elementary schools, making this a five-school reading victory for whichever team comes out on top!

The matchup also has a special connection. Before becoming Walla Walla Public Schools’ 17th superintendent in July 2025, Dr. Gauyan spent several years leading Stanwood-Camano’s Teaching and Learning Department. He continues to maintain strong friendships and professional connections in the Stanwood community.

And leave it to two school superintendents to turn a football wager into an opportunity to promote reading! The Football Fiasco is a football-themed mystery featuring lessons about friendship, inclusion and kindness. This is a great way to extend the excitement of playoff Saturday into the classroom.

Game Day Details:
• Matchup: Walla Walla High School Blue Devils vs. Stanwood High School Spartans
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
• Kickoff: 2 p.m.
• Location: Stanwood High School
• Radio Broadcast: Blue Devils Radio KGDC — KGDC 1320 AM / 92.9 FM
• Live Stream: NFHS Network (subscription required): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/stanwood-high-school-stanwood-wa/gam05a8baf949

Go Blue Devils!

Walla Walla Public Schools to Maintain Head Start Program Through 2026-27 School YearWalla Walla Public Schools will mai...
11/04/2026

Walla Walla Public Schools to Maintain Head Start Program Through 2026-27 School Year

Walla Walla Public Schools will maintain its Head Start program through June 4, 2027, even if additional federal funding is not secured by the December 31, 2026, the end date of the current award letter.

During Tuesday night's school board study session, Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan recommended continuing the program through the end of the 2026-27 school year. School board members unanimously expressed support for the recommendation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistent services for children, families and staff.

Despite numerous efforts by district leaders to secure a commitment from the federal Office of Head Start, no official confirmation of continued funding has been received.

The decision ensures continued early learning, nutrition and family support services for 116 children, including 80 full-day and 36 half-day students. It also provides stability for approximately 30 classified employees, avoiding potential mid-year layoffs and employee transfers under district seniority provisions.

The financial commitment is significant. If federal funding is not awarded retroactively, the district estimates it will need to contribute approximately $880,000 from its General Fund to operate the program through June 2027.

"We're recommending we maintain the program largely because we have been informed by the Office of Head Start that the remaining funds we applied for will be available once a congressional budget is passed," said Director of Fiscal Services Janette Jeffris. "We applied for 12 months of funding, but they only awarded six months. Office of Head Start officials stated they have the information needed to extend our funding the additional six months without further action on our part. We're asking officials to get the extension completed ahead of the continuing resolution cutoff of December 11, but we haven't been successful so far."

District leaders and school board members also expressed a strong commitment to continuing Head Start beyond the current school year. The district will actively pursue future funding opportunities once the Office of Head Start makes a new application available.

Jeffris will continue working with federal officials to secure the remaining funding for the current school year and pursue opportunities to support the program in the years ahead.

The recommendation reflects the district's commitment to providing uninterrupted early learning opportunities and essential support services for Walla Walla children and families.

Sources of Strength: 337 Student Leaders. Five Years. One Stronger Community!Walla Walla Public Schools is celebrating f...
11/03/2026

Sources of Strength: 337 Student Leaders. Five Years. One Stronger Community!

Walla Walla Public Schools is celebrating five years of building student connection, hope and resilience through its Sources of Strength program. District trainers Shayna Hutchens and Nicole Mueller recently completed another year of Peer Leader training, reaching students across the district’s secondary schools.

This year’s trainings included Walla Walla High School and Lincoln High School, along with a combined session for Garrison Middle School and Pioneer Middle School.

Over the past five years, Hutchens and Mueller have trained 337 student Peer Leaders, empowering them to make a positive difference in their schools and help create a culture where every student feels connected, supported and valued.

Sources of Strength is a strengths-based program that encourages students to support one another, recognize the positive strengths in their own lives and build meaningful connections. The program emphasizes the importance of relationships, trusted adults and personal strengths in promoting hope, help and resilience.

Following this year’s training sessions, advisors and student Peer Leaders are collaborating to plan district-wide activities for secondary students December 7–11. Throughout the week, students and staff will have opportunities to learn more about Sources of Strength and reflect on the strengths, relationships and support systems that make a difference in their lives.

"Five years, 337 student leaders and a shared commitment to making our schools stronger," said Mueller. "We are proud of these students for taking the lead in spreading hope, strengthening connections and building a more supportive school community."

OCT. 31, 2026 - WA-HI SPORTS RECAP:Wa-Hi Girls Swim & Dive Claims Third Consecutive District 6 3A ChampionshipThree Wa-H...
11/02/2026

OCT. 31, 2026 - WA-HI SPORTS RECAP:
Wa-Hi Girls Swim & Dive Claims Third Consecutive District 6 3A Championship
Three Wa-Hi Cross Country Runners Qualify for State Championships
https://www.wallawallaathletics.com/news/119979

NOVEMBER 2026 PULSE VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaq8wK1TBLUIn the November 2026 edition of the Pulse video s...
11/02/2026

NOVEMBER 2026 PULSE VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaq8wK1TBLU

In the November 2026 edition of the Pulse video series, Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan encourages everyone to participate in the November 3 General Election. He also provides updates on district enrollment, noting that student numbers remain above budget projections and Walla Walla Public Schools' continues to maintain a sound financial position.

Dr. Gauyan reinforces that student and staff safety remains a top priority and reminds everyone: See Something, Hear Something, Say Something.

November also provides opportunities to recognize Native American Heritage Month, honor our veterans on Veterans Day, celebrate American Education Week and gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving.

Take a few minutes to watch this month's Pulse and stay connected with the latest news and updates from across Walla Walla Public Schools.

11/02/2026
10/30/2026

Washington FFA State Secretary Visits Former School

2026-2027 Washington FFA State Secretary and 2026 Walla Walla High School graduate Teegan Timmons returned to Wa-Hi today to meet with Agriculture Education students in classes taught by Jenn Crane and Lexi Leathers.

Teegan shared her experiences in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and highlighted the many opportunities the organization provides students. She reflected on the lasting friendships, valuable skills and memorable experiences she gained throughout her years in FFA, encouraging students to take advantage of everything the organization has to offer.

Address

364 S Park Street
Walla Walla, WA
99362

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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